Dual survival

Hi,

I watched an episode of dual survival last night set in new zealand.

I enjoyed it a lot. They did ham it up a bit but overall very informative.

Kinda half way between ray mears and bear grylls.

Cody lindin is cool in his way but I think he had shoes on under the socks.

I think the producers wanted them to fight it out but they actually make a good complimentary team.
I have watched dave canterbury for a while on youtube and he is very down to earth and comes across like a good bloke.

Looking forward to the next episode.

Cheers
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Catapult with elastic.

Surprisingly powerful. The elastic is a medical tourniquet. I got a box of twenty lengths.
I am going to collect some good pebbles today at the beach.
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Holly catapult

Found this nice fork just screaming out! "Make me into a catapult"
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Big diameter elder is not hollow!

I remember a survival instructor telling me that large diameter elder is hollow and can be used as a cooking pot etc.

I didn't say anything at the time but here is a pic of a cross section of 6 inch diameter Elder. Aint hollow. In fact the hollow-ness found in the young shoots disappears over time as the centre dies and hardens.
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Huge flint nodule!

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Moto

Be prepared and determined, never give up and eat chocolate all the time.

This is what bear grylls son said to hime recently and I think its a good moto to live by.
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Lesser Celendine root

This is the part you roast in the embers.

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Lesser celandines are out.

The birch sap is flowing!

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Carving with flint.

I knapped some flint blades and had a go at carving something with them. By shear chance I ended up with a brilliant little chisel edge which make lovly curls in a piece of wood. Perfect for feather sticks.
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Another poem about wood.

 This poem was sent to me by friend of the blog Gorges Symth.


In Praise of Ash

Beechwood fires are bright and clear,
If the logs are kept a year.
Chestnut’s only good, they say,
If for long ‘tis laid away.
But ash wood new or ash wood old,
Is fit for queen with crown of gold.

Birch and fir logs burn too fast,
Blaze up bright and do not last.
It is by the Irish said
That Hawthorn bakes the sweetest bread.
Elm wood burns like churchyard mold,
Even the very flames are cold.
But ash wood green or ash wood brown,
Is fit for queen with golden crown.

Poplar gives a bitter smoke—
Fills your eyes and makes you choke.
Apple wood will scent your room
With an incense like perfume.
Oaken logs if dry and old,
Will keep away the winter’s cold.
But ash wood wet or ash wood dry,
A king shall warm his slippers by.

English children’s rhyme

Full sigg water bottle bursts when left outside the tent!!!

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Bushcraft knives

This is a knife I had made by Adam of JLT Knives.

http://www.jltknives.co.uk/

It is O1 steel with a reindeer antler handle and red Liners. The balance length and width is perfect for me. Adam is a great bloke and if you get a knife from him and there is an issue he will sort it asap. Not only that he gives you a lifetime guarentee with it. Cant go wrong really.

.

A personal challenge to make the smallest working figure of 4 possible with a knife.

Logs to burn

I allways loved this poem and I thought I would share it.

Logs to burn; logs to burn;
Logs to save the coal a turn.

Here's a word to make you wise
when you hear the woodman's cries;
Never heed his usual tale
That he's splendid logs for sale
But read these lines & really learn
The proper kind of logs to burn.

Oak logs will warm you well,
If they're old and dry.
Larch logs of pinewoods smell
But the sparks will fly.
Beech logs for Christmas time;
Yew logs heat well;
'Scotch' logs it is a crime
For anyone to sell.
Birch logs will burn too fast;
Chestnut scarce at all;
Hawthorn logs are good to last
If cut in the fall.
Holly logs will burn like wax,
You should burn them green;
Elm logs like smouldering flax,
No flame to be seen.
Pear logs and apple logs,
They will scent your room;
Cherry logs across the dogs
Smell like flowers in bloom,
But ash logs all smooth and grey
Burn them green or old,
Buy up all that come your way
They're worth their weight in gold.

                Honor Goodhart, 1926

A small figure of four trap.

I was bored at lunch time so I made a little trap from a thin peice of hazel i had lying about.

A little bushcraft knife i made

I made this from an old file using some hand files and a hairdryer. Very satisfying project.
A knife making friend gave me a few tips.

Have a go.

A great forum for outdoor enthusiasts of N.Ireland.

http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php

A website with a great atmosphere that feels like mates round the camp fire discussing anything outdoors. A top site.

Check it out.

A personal challenge

This is a little challenge I have set myself.

To walk into the woods with nothing and acheive the following things.(got this list of bushcraftusa)

* make a simple blade from flint or other material
* cut and carve wood without a metal knife or saw
* make cord and withies from natural materials
* make fire with two rocks (flint and iron pyrites) and natural tinder (no modern/artificial materials)
* make a shelter with your bare hands that will keep you warm and dry through a winters night without a sleeping bag
* find the best available water and make it safe
* forage for plant foods in the forest and cook them without a pot
* dig latrines and maintain hygiene in survival situations
* navigate without a compass

watch this space.

In the spring myself and a friend are going to test ourselves but more details on that later.